[lumberjim]

it depends on how you define more affordable. And, as you said, how you will use your car.

If you are a person that trades their car in for a new one every 3 or 4 years, you should lease. ESPECIALLY if you drive a lot of miles. just set the lease up to allow you the amount you actually drive, plus a little padding. The payment is almost always significantly lower on a lease, and at worst, you break even at the end and start over. I f you had bought the car with a 5 year loan, there's a good chance that you may still owe more than your car is worth in 3 -4 years, and have to carry "negative equity" into the next loan. this can creat a revolving effect that gets worse every time you trade in, and at some point, you reach the saturation point and become "burried". not to mention the trouble you'd be in if your car was totaled while you were in the red. always consider gap insurance when buying a new car. you don;t always need it, but it can save your ass if you do.

If you tend to keep your cars for 6+ years, you should probably buy it. Use the time that you don;t have a paymetn to save for your downstroke on the next car.

the BEST way to go is to buy a 2 year old used car with low miles that is in good shape. allow room in your budget for a warranty, and keep the car until it is paid off + 2 years to save for the next one.